Tesla's China Models to Introduce DeepSeek and Doubao Large Language Models

According to Bloomberg, American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla plans to introduce an in-car voice assistant feature supported by DeepSeek and Doubao AI technology under ByteDance, aiming to catch up with Chinese domestic competitors who have already launched similar features.

Model S; Image source: Tesla

The terms and services document uploaded on Tesla's official website shows that the above-mentioned technology allows drivers to control the navigation application, in-car entertainment system, and cabin temperature through voice commands, and also to receive news updates.

The document states that voice command processing will primarily be handled by Doubao, while DeepSeek Chat will be responsible for AI interactions. Additionally, both models are hosted and supported by ByteDance's Volcano Engine cloud services.

Nowadays, Chinese consumers have become accustomed to cars equipped with rich technological features. Foreign car manufacturers are increasingly choosing to cooperate with local Chinese auto parts suppliers, using their AI models to provide a more localized experience for Chinese drivers. In March of this year, BMW Group stated that it has deepened its cooperation with Alibaba Group Holding Limited and will introduce the "Tongyi Qianwen" (QWen) large language model in a new generation of models specifically customized for the Chinese market.

Tesla’s models in the U.S. market use the Grok AI model, which was developed by xAI, an AI startup founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Tesla’s decision to use a domestic AI model in China indicates that local regulations may make it difficult to introduce the Grok AI model into the Chinese market. This move also highlights the competitive pressure Tesla faces from domestic brands such as BYD and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group—companies that have already partnered with DeepSeek to enhance their in-car user interaction experience.

In the first seven months of this year, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory experienced a decline in vehicle deliveries for six months, with July deliveries down 8.4% compared to the same period last year.

It is currently unclear whether the above-mentioned AI model has been officially integrated into the Tesla models sold in China. Several Tesla owners contacted by Bloomberg stated that they have not yet received notice about the new terms and service document. The latest over-the-air (OTA) update listed on Tesla's official WeChat account is dated August 18.

Tesla and ByteDance representatives have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the above report.